Theory of the formation of "normal" and "anomalous" gratings on the surfaces of absorbing condensed media exposed to laser radiation

A theory is developed for modulation of the surface relief of metals, semiconductors, and insulators as a result of vaporization on exposure to laser radiation. Calculations are made of the growth increments of surface gratings as a function of the frequency, angle of incidence, and polarization of the laser radiation. It is shown that the periods and orientations of the dominant gratings depend strongly on the permittivity of the medium.